The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has recently announced the winners of its third annual Name-A-Snowplow Contest which caught the fancy of many residents, with witty and creative names that are now officially assigned to some of Arizona’s hardworking snowplows. Over 14,000 votes were cast to help decide the fate of these six snow-clearing titans, ensuring their monikers are as memorable as their service to the state’s snow-covered roads.
The winners of the contest, as reported by ADOT's official announcement, include names like "CTRL + SALT + DELETE" and "Blizzard of Oz," which demonstrate a clear blend of humor and homage to pop culture. Others, such as "Scoop Dog," "Darth Blader," "Plowasaurus Rex," and "Sleetwood Mac" are similarly designed to bring a smile to those who encounter the hefty machines braving the chill to clear the way. These names were chosen out of 2,100 submissions that flooded in during the contest's first phase in January and stood out among the other finalists following a public vote.
Stationed at various maintenance yards throughout the high country of Arizona, each of the winning snowplows serve a vital role. According to the information obtained from the ADOT, "Darth Blader" and "CTRL + SALT + DELETE" are maintaining the roads of Flagstaff, while "Blizzard of Oz" and "Sleetwood Mac" take on the snowy stretches just west in Williams. Meanwhile, "Scoop Dog" is set to patrol the routes of Payson along State Route 87 and State Route 260, and "Plowasaurus Rex" is responsible for the highways near Globe.
The Name-A-Snowplow Contest is not only fun but also raises awareness about the important work ADOT snowplow operators do to keep highways safe in winter. ADOT has 200 snowplows and 400 operators who work hard to clear roads and apply deicer. ADOT advises drivers to stay at least four car lengths behind snowplows, never attempt to pass them, and slow down to keep everyone safe.
The new snowplows join fun names like "Snowbi-Wan Kenobi," "Fast and Flurryous," and "Alice Scooper." After winter, the plows are used for other highway projects without their blades. Whether in snow or sunshine, these named plows and their operators show ADOT’s year-round dedication to Arizona’s highway safety and maintenance, as per the ADOT announcement.
